Why Are Some Membrane Proteins Called Integral?

💡 The Answer

• Integral membrane proteins are permanently embedded in the lipid bilayer through hydrophobic transmembrane domains.
• They cannot be removed without disrupting the membrane using detergents or organic solvents.
• These proteins often have alpha-helical or beta-barrel structures that span the membrane one or more times.
• Integral proteins function as channels, pumps, receptors, and enzymes critical for membrane physiology.